SAVE THISTLETOWN

WHEREAS the Ontario Government has ordered the Thistletown Regional Centre to be closed without any consultation with the children and their families; and WHEREAS there has been no planning done with regards to the children being moved into alternate placements; and WHEREAS Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Children and Youth Services has stated “There are enough’’ community-based programs and services for all of those clients now receiving them at Thistletown, a statement that is not at this time factual; and WHEREAS the Thistletown programme SAFE-T promotes education, training, partnerships, treatment and awareness of sexual abuse, developed an assessment and treatment service that is internationally recognized for its clinical work, training and the publication of significant research; and WHEREAS the Thistletown programme TRE-ADD provides Treatment for the children, does significant Research that benefits the entire community of people diagnosed in the Autism Spectrum, provides Education to the children as well as other professionals in the field of Autism and Developmental Delays in general; and WHEREAS the Thistletown clients have been referred to the centre by agencies based in the community that are unable to provide safe and adequate services that address their individual needs; and WHEREAS the Thistletown clients have the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice under section 7 of the CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS.

Letter to

Minister of Children and Youth ServicesHon. Eric Hoskins

Richard Bradley

PremierThe legislative assembly of Ontario

I just signed the following petition addressed to: The legislative assembly of Ontario.

----------------That the decision to close The Thistletown Regional Centre be reversed.

WHEREAS the Ontario Government has ordered the Thistletown Regional Centre to be closed without any consultation with the children and their families; andWHEREAS there has been no planning done with regards to the children being moved into alternate placements; andWHEREAS Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Children and Youth Services has stated “There are enough’’ community-based programs and services for all of those clients now receiving them at Thistletown, a statement that is not at this time factual; andWHEREAS the Thistletown programme SAFE-T promotes education, training, partnerships, treatment and awareness of sexual abuse, developed an assessment and treatment service that is internationally recognized for its clinical work, training and the publication of significant research; andWHEREAS the Thistletown programme TRE-ADD provides Treatment for the children, does significant Research that benefits the entire community of people diagnosed in the Autism Spectrum, provides Education to the children as well as other professionals in the field of Autism and Developmental Delays in general; andWHEREAS the Thistletown clients have been referred to the centre by agencies based in the community that are unable to provide safe and adequate services that address their individual needs; andWHEREAS the Thistletown clients have the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice under section 7 of the CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS.